Philadelphia Employee Rights Lawyers
Family and Medical Leaves
When you need to take medical leave to care for your own “serious health condition” or family leave to care for your child, parent or spouse, without losing your job, certain State and Federal laws protect you. Taking a pregnancy leave and time off in connection with the birth or adoption of a child are included in these rights. Depending on the situation, eligible employees may be permitted up to as much as 12 weeks of family leave and 12 weeks of medical leave per year. Family and medical leaves are unpaid, unless a company has a policy that provides otherwise. At the conclusion of a family or medical leave, you are generally entitled to return to either your former position, or an equivalent one, except where your position would have been eliminated irrespective of your leave, i.e., in connection with a mass lay-off or reduction in force by the employer.
In order to take a family or medical leave, an employee must give reasonable advance notice of his or her need for the leave, as stated in the employer’s policy. How much notice is required varies depending on the circumstances, including the reason why he or she is taking the leave.
The family and medical leave laws are complex. There are exceptions and restrictions which could limit your right to take a leave or be reinstated upon your return to work. Contact The Gold Law Firm P.C. today for more information, or if you think your rights have been violated.
